Snow is back in the forecast this weekend, with another 2 to 4 inches expected in the Greater Columbus and Cincinnati areas.
And that means more shoveling. Many communities have adopted snow removal ordinances to clear the sidewalks within a certain period of time.
But this can be a hazardous activity and isn’t safe for everyone.
The American Journal of Emergency Medicine reports that about 200,000 adults went to emergency rooms for snow shoveling accidents from 1990 to 2006. There were more than 1,600 deaths.
Clearing snow on residents’ property: Rules in Cincinnati, Columbus, Akron, Cleveland
How old is too old to be shoveling snow?
Anyone older than 45 should be cautious, according to an American Heart Association spokesperson. People with conditions like heart disease, high blood pressure or high cholesterol should also be careful, along with people who smoke, are very inactive, are obese or are sedentary.
If you fall into these categories, you might consider hiring someone else to do the job.
But if that’s not a possibility, here are some tips to reduce the amount of exertion. Many of these tips come from seasoned shovelers who reported their hacks on social media site Reddit.
Stacy Thompson, of Lancaster, shovels snow out of her parking spot along Lake Street after she got home from work in Lancaster, Ohio, on Jan. 7, 2025. Fairfield County residents have been dealing with a mass accumulation of snow since last Sunday which became a level 3 snow emergency earlier this week.
6 ways to make snow shoveling safer
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Shovel in intervals rather than all at once. “If many inches are expected, shovel every few hours as the snow falls, rather than waiting until the end of the storm,” one Reddit user suggested.
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Push the snow, rather than lifting and throwing. This works better with a lighter snow. Stand upright and push the snow to its disposal location. If needed, you can “kick the back of the shovel (to expel the snow) to avoid unnecessary bending,” a Redditor suggested.
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Get an ergonomic shovel. “Those goofy looking bent-handle shovels are real back savers,” according to one Redditor tip. “I scoffed til I tried one.”
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Try a leaf blower. “Leaf blowers can be surprisingly effective if the wind is in your favor.” This can work to reduce the amount of snow on top before going back with a shovel. This works better with drier snow, rather than the wet spring snows.
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Don’t shovel more than you need to. The local ordinances require sidewalks to be shoveled, but not driveways. Still, to increase safety in your unshoveled driveway, clear only a solitary path to the sidewalk, your vehicles or other areas you need to access.
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Use a snowblower. Using a snowblower raises your heart rate to about 120 beats per minute, rather than the 170 beats per minute when shoveling, according to the American Heart Association.
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How to optimize your shoveling routine
Here are more tips from Reddit users to make lighter work of the task:
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“Spray the blade with cooking spray; snow slides right off.”
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“Keep the shovel cold so the snow slides off.”
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“I shovel early if possible and let the sun do the final cleanup.”
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“Plastic shovel only … Plastic moves much easier over concrete or asphalt than aluminum.”
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“Push with the blade at a diagonal to reduce snags on the concrete cracks.”
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Shovel soon after it snows, and especially before you start driving on the driveway. It’ll keep snow from getting packed down, which makes it harder to remove and can cause icy spots.
More snow shoveling advice from Ohio agencies
The Ohio Committee for Severe Weather Awareness offers these safety tips when shoveling snow:
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Wear sturdy shoes or boots with rugged soles to help prevent slips and falls.
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If you become short of breath while shoveling, stop and rest. If you feel pain or tightness in your chest, become dizzy, faint or start sweating heavily, stop immediately and call for help.
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Have a partner monitor your progress and share the workload. If you have a heart attack, your partner can call 911 and stay with you until help arrives.
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Use a sturdy, lightweight shovel to push the snow out of the way. If you must lift the snow, take small scoops.
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Warm up before shoveling by walking and stretching your arms and legs for a few minutes. Warm muscles are less likely to be injured and work more efficiently.
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If you use a snow blower, keep in mind that pushing a snow blower through heavy, packed snow can affect your body. Do not overextend yourself and take short breaks.
Be a good neighbor
Some cities, like Canton, have ordinances against shoveling the snow into the road or other rights of way. Instead, shovel it onto your yard; the moisture will be great for your lawn.
Consider simply doing the favor for your elderly or immobile neighbor when it snows.
And “if a neighbor was nice enough to do, say, your sidewalk if they were up early, always bring them beer,” a Redditor suggests.
Beware of frostbite, hypothermia, the Ohio Department of Health warns
Pam Gifford of Cuyahoga Falls braves the snow as she walks on Front Street on her way to an appointment in Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio.
Shoveling snow means being out in the cold, and that can put you at risk for hypothermia and frostbite, the Ohio Department of Health warns. Here are some signs to watch for.
Signs and symptoms of hypothermia, an abnormally low body temperature, include:
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Exhaustion or feeling tired
If you notice these symptoms, do the following:
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Get the individual into a warm room as quickly as possible
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Warm the center of the person’s body – chest, neck, head and groin areas
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Use warm drinks to help increase the person’s body temperature
Frostbite can happen in minutes to uncovered skin if the conditions are right. Watch for these signs:
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A white or gray-yellow toned skin area
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Skin that feels unusually firm or waxy
If you notice any, do the following:
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Get the individual into a warm room as quickly as possible
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Don’t rub or massage the frostbitten area, nor walk on feet or toes that show signs of frostbite damage, as this can increase the damage
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Place the affected areas in warm water, if available, or warm the areas using body heat
In both cases, you may need to take the individual to a medical provider for further treatment.
USA TODAY reporter Greta Cross contributed to this report.
This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Shoveling snow can be hazardous for those 45 and older, with conditions